The next evening.

*Knock. Knock*

“Haven’t I instructed before- not to disturb except when it’s time for dinner?” An annoyed and strict feminine voice sounded from within.

“It’s me.” Adrian said- his tone as charming as ever.

“Adrian? Come in.” The voice within the room relaxed, but it did not lose its majesty in the slightest.

Adrian stepped into the room and closed the door behind.

The room was shimmering with golden lights. The open window showed the darkness outside. The contrast between the two environments- one in and the other out, one glowing and the other dim- was a sight to behold.

The light magic circles in the room were functioning better than ever before. Adrian’s eyes were fixed on the bewitchingly beautiful woman sitting at the extravagant desk which had a tiara placed upon it along with a mess of papers.

She looked at the newcomer with a charming smile on her face. “Welcome back.” She said.

“It has been a couple of days since I returned.” He began to walk towards the desk, one step at a time.

“Oh, really?” She knitted her brows. “Those incompetent fools!” She cursed. “I had already instructed the maids to inform me of your arrival. And they failed at such a simple task!”

“Relax.” He sat down just before her, at the other side of the table. “You drove them away from the door before they could even say anything.”

“Oh. Did I?” She rubbed her temples. “What about Evelyn then? She brought me dinner last evening and also the one before. Have you not met her yet?”

He chuckled. “Yes, I did. But apparently, she doesn’t want me to meet with just anyone.”

She frowned, but decided to forget it. “Anyways, how was your tour?”

“Not bad. I was just kidnapped once.” He shrugged.

“What!?” She slammed both of her palms on the wooden desk. But suddenly she remembered something. “You were kidnapped by yourself again, weren’t you?” She gave him a look.

“That’s one way to put it.” He smiled. “Looks like you do not care about me at all.”

She relaxed again as both of her hands clasped together. “It’s not what you think.” She shook her head. “I was just too invested in my research.”

“I can see that.” His dark eyes darted through the dozens of paper lying on the not-so-large table and the diagrams of magic circle prototypes drawn on them. “How’s progress?”

“Not much, I guess.” She looked down at the desk. “I started work based on the theories you have provided. It was smooth at first, and with time- I grew overconfident and started to apply my own understanding to your theories. But it took me nowhere. I wasted a few days.” A sigh escaped her lips.

“Don’t downgrade yourself.” He consoled. “I am sure those trials led you to a better understanding of the hybridisation theories.”

A smile formed on her sullen face. “Yes.” She continued. “Are you really only nineteen years old? The theories you presented were ground breaking in the fields of magical research. What you came up with is something none could think of until now. Besides, even the words you speak contain wisdom that far surpasses your age.”

“I am older than you.” He answered with a smile.

“Pfft.” She began to laugh. “Yeah, right.”

“You made a breakthrough in your research, right?” He ignored her state and asked.

She calmed herself down and looked at him. “How did you know?”

“Evelyn complained that you had not slept for days. But I can see that you had a good sleep last night.”

“Yes.” The smile on her face turned into a grin. “I was finally able to ‘hybridise’ light and fire. Though the merger is just at its elementary phase, it is a success nonetheless.”

“Great.” He clapped twice. “Have you thought of a name?”

“Sacred fire.” She answered as she picked up one of the papers on the table and passed it to Adrian.

Adrian checked the diagram and nodded. “Theoretically, it’s a success indeed. Have you tried with real magic circles?” He looked at her.

She nodded in return. “Yes, it worked. But I faced a new type of problem.” She sighed.

“Let me guess- the balance.”

Her blue eyes glinted for a moment as she looked into his eyes. “Exactly.” She confirmed. “Though it is a hybrid, the spell heavily inclines to the side of the light.”

“This is only natural.” He put the paper on his hands back on the table. “After all, you are well versed in light magic.”

“I had the same thought.” She rubbed her temples yet again. “And looks like creating a balance between the attributes is many times more difficult than just merging them. I don’t know what to do.”

Adrian got up from his seat and slowly circled around the table until he was standing just behind her.

She could sense his movements but she remained quite, still rubbing her temples.

Adrian grabbed both of the Queen Mother’s shoulders, taking her somewhat by surprise. She knitted her brows and was just about to ask him what he was doing, when her brows along with her entire body relaxed.

He was gently massaging her shoulders. Every single one of his strong and graceful fingers elegantly moved over the shoulder of her clothes. Sometimes, his index fingers and thumbs would graze and serve her exposed neck.

He even intricately and subtly exerted a bit of magical energy from his hands. They penetrated into her nerves, vessels and stiff muscles.

She felt the heaviness she had been experiencing wash away. She was a Royal; the best masseurs from the entire Confederation had served her. But none of them matched the simple yet heavenly massage of the young man behind him.

“You are so good with your hands.” She praised as she rested her back on her chair.

“Yes, they have pleasured countless women before.” He replied, his voice was relaxing.

“Cheeky boy.” Her cheeks were tinted pink. “So, what do you suggest?”

“Life is a series of choices- of do or don’t, of this or that.” He continued moving his hands across her shoulders.

She peaked her ears. She knew he was going to say something significant.